Essay #4: The Argument Research Paper

The Argument Research Paper

Introduction

In recent years, interest in complementary medicine has re-ignited in a big way as consumers turn to nature in the search of alternative remedies. In particular increasing numbers of people are beginning to seek answers to needs unaddressed by Western science by looking to the ancient knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicines. (Ahmad, 1445)

The Argument Research Paper: Modern Medicine Vs. Eastern Medicine

This accounts for the high penetration of complementary medicines in developed economies. According to World Health Organisation estimates, more than half the populations of developed countries have tried alternative medication at least once. However, most western trained practitioners have had little exposure to or training in traditional medicine and find it difficult to guide their patients in their choices.

The trend of using traditional remedies as a substitute for chemically formulated drugs is set to continue with an industry growth rate of between 5 - 15 per cent a year, and much of it is no doubt due to the common layman belief that the more 'natural' a product, the fewer the side effects. (Ahmad, 1445)

Western practitioners, however, have long been uncomfortable with this assumption and this has resulted in many alternative treatments being sidelined as 'quack medicine' lacking scientific basis. This stance is exacerbated by the dearth of research on most traditional remedies. Active ingredients and their mechanisms of action and interaction with concomitant treatments are unknown or not described in clinically accepted ways, while existing evidence based data often does not meet stringent Western criteria.

As a result the common reaction of skeptical Western medical practitioners is to follow a precautionary principle when advising patients and avoid recommending alternatives altogether. This helps to discourage uncritical enthusiasm for complementary medication among most patients and prevents the misuse of unproven or low-quality treatments. However this also denies many patients access to promising products, leaving certain medical needs unmet. (Becka, 980)

It is possible, however, to incorporate alternative treatments into a Western medical framework - giving doctors a firm basis upon which to evaluate these treatments.

One such example is Neuroaid, a Traditional Chinese Medicine aimed at supporting stroke recovery, marketed by Moleac. Western medicine today offers a plethora of products and surgical treatments that deal with preventing the causes of stroke. However, its only offering for stroke patients after the hyper-acute stage comprises physiotherapy, which leaves recent stroke patients with only a 33% chance of full recovery. No Western drug offerings address the patient rehabilitation process. (Becka, 980)

When Moleac identified Neuroaid, clinical data had already been generated on the medication - a sizeable double-blind randomized clinical trial on over 600 patients had been conducted in China. The trial produced a 2.11 odd ratio in complete responders on a functional scale and very favorable outcomes on individual neurological deficit scores. The fact that the research had been conducted on patients several months after their stroke onset suggested Neuroaid helps stroke rehabilitation by improving the brain's neuroplasticity. No such drug exists in Western ...